Highway widening through Abbotsford to come after Langley project: MLA

The widening of Highway 1 through Abbotsford is planned to begin once work is completed through Langley, Abbotsford South MLA Darryl Plecas told members of the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association Thursday.

Last week, the province announced that construction would start soon on the six-laning of the highway between 216th and 264th streets. The project is expected to cost $235.5 million. The province has said it will cover half, but that it is also seeking funding from federal government and Township of Langley.

The project is Phase 2 of the province’s 10-year transportation strategy that calls for the widening of the highway to Abbotsford.

Plecas said Phase 3 of the project will see the six-laning of Highway 1 to the Whatcom Road interchange. While Plecas said funding details with the federal government would still need to be arranged, he said construction is envisioned to begin as soon as Phase 2 is complete.

“The plan is they’ll just keep working after that,” Plecas said.

A fourth phase of the project would see the highway six-laned all the way to Hope, Plecas added.

Design work for the Langley widening is expected to start this fall.

Phase 2 of the project will include: eight kilometres of six-laning on Highway 1 between 216 Street and 264 Street; replacement of the 232 Street interchange with a modern interchange; replacement of the Glover Road overpass with a modern structure; removal and construction of a new CP Rail crossing; and building a new commercial truck parking facility on Highway 17 under the Port Mann Bridge (Highway 17 North Surrey Truck Parking Facility).